Welfare Department

Town Welfare is available for short-term emergency assistance for basic living needs to qualified residents through a voucher system. Assistance is available with rent, food, utilities, and medication. Welfare is NOT intended to subsidize rent for someone living beyond one’s means; it was established to fill a temporary need.

Each client deserves dedicated time and attention to address their individual needs. Therefore, you will be required to schedule an appointment to determine aid.

If the Town is able to provide financial assistance, reimbursement is expected (when the client is no longer experiencing a hardship).

In order to qualify for Town Assistance, there are financial criteria, as well as non-financial requirements. A client must stay in compliance with Town Welfare and State Welfare Guidelines (when appropriate) if assistance is to continue.

The Welfare Director has set hours by appointment; she will meet with clients on an as-needed basis if an emergency. Applicants should call the Town Hall at 588-2189 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to schedule an appointment. All applicants must fill out an application and budget form prior to meeting with the Welfare Director. The application form is not available online and must be picked up at Town Hall.

Community Wood Bank at the Grapevine

For the last several years voters have approved funding in support of The Grapevine Family & Community Resource Center, a non-profit organization located at 4 Aiken Street in Antrim whose mission is to promote family and community health and well-being through education, support, and the sharing of resources. One of the many great features that The Grapevine has to offer to the communities at large is their Community Wood Bank which operates on donations of wood and volunteer labor. The limited supply of wood is reserved for people who use wood as a primary heat source and cannot afford to buy it. Wood is supplied for temporary assistance on an urgent or emergency basis. The Wood Bank is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. until noon or by appointment. Please call 588-2620 for more information.

The Antrim/Bennington Food Pantry, located at the Antrim Baptist Church at 85 Main Street in Antrim, is open to residents in need on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. until noon. The Food Pantry operates through donation only. Residents willing to donate to their local food pantry can drop nonperishable food items off at the Baptist Church or in a donation bin located in the lobby at the Town Hall. Residents willing to donate funds to assist the Food Pantry may do so by making a check payable to the Antrim/Bennington Food Pantry and mailing it to:

Any and all donations are appreciated during this continued time of need. Please consider making it a habit to bring a nonperishable item to Town Hall when you register your vehicle, pay your taxes/water bill, or for whatever may necessitate your visit.